Liquid dispensing apparatus



July 16,1, 1946. R. R. TRExLER LIQUID nl sPENsING APPARATUS Filed Dec'.9, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 16, 1946. R. R. .TREXLE'R '2,404,258

LIQUID DIsPENsINGf APPARATUS Filed Dec. 9, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July16, 1946.

R. R. TREXLER l 2,404,258 LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS v I v Filed Dec.9, 1942 :svsheets-sh'ee s 'JZ-fa Patented July 16, 1946 T oFFlci-zLIQUID DISPEN SIN G APPARATUS Richard R. Trexler, Evanston, Ill.Application December 9, 1942, Serial No. 468,363

This invention relates to fluid dispensing apparatus, and particularlyto apparatus adapted to dispense liquids in measured quantities whilesi- -multaneously calculating the cost thereof at a given or selectedcost per unit of volume.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fluid dispensingapparatusvof improved construction and operating characteristics, andmore particularly to provide improved means for. calculating the cost ofthe fluid orliquid dispensed.

In accordance with the principles of the invention cost calculatingfluidvariator means is disposed directly in the flow line of thedispensed fluid, said means controlling the flow of fluid Within aselected portion ofthe line in a manner so as to enable the accuratecostv calculation thereof at variable and selected prices per unit ofmeasure.

Further objects of the invention are to provide cost lcalculating means,in apparatus of the type stated, which may be more economicallyconstructed, and which is accurate in operation and readily adjustableto effect cost calculations at variable and selected unit prices. A

Another object of the invention, in one of its aspects, is to provide ina, iluid variator structure, means whereby the adjustment of a singlemember will effect the corresponding accurate adjustment of the fluidvariator mechanism throughout its selected range of price adjustment.

A still further object of the invention is to provide for the costcalculation of the iiuid dispensed,

mechanism of the meters provided, and without the provision ofmechanical variator means or other cumbersome mechanism.

Another object of the` invention is to provide in apparatus of the typestated, for a minimum load upon the meter to facilitate accurate meteroperation, and also to enable the use of lessy expensive and morereadily lconstructed metering units. y

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will beapparentfrom the following specification when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein certain preferred embodiments of theinvention are set forth for purposes of illustration'.

In the drawings, wherein'like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout:

Fig. .1 is a general assembly'view of a liquid dispensing apparatusconstructed in accordance zwiththe principles of the invention, parts ofthe 1 12 Claims. (01.'222-728) f ply source for thedispensing`apr'aaratus housingl being broken awayltobetter illustrate certain ofthe structuralelements;

Fig. 2 is a partial, sideand sectionalview; of

the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, and takenon the line 2 ,2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is arhorizontal sectional view through the apparatus of Fig- 1,on the line 3 3 thereof; Fig. `4 isa detail horizontal sectional View,on

*an enlarged scale, of the fluid l variator structure,

and takenon the lines 4- 4as lindicated in Fig.-1 andFig, 5;

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional view o'f'the fluid variatoron theAline 5 -5 of Fig. 4;" Figjis a detail sectional ,view of a controlvalvestructure optionally butl preferably forming a part ofythestructureof Fig. 1;

Fig. 7A is a detail sectional view of a portion of the valve Vmechanismof. Fig. 6, on theline 1 1 thereof; y Fig. 8 isla sectionalview similarto Fig. 4, but illustrating a modiedform of uid variator structurer nFig. 9 is a partial -detail view of a portionof the apparatuspf Fig f8;lf@ 1 Fig. m10/ is a' View, also similar Vtolig. .4, but showing anothermodified form of fluid Avariat'or structure, and takenA on the lineIU-IU of Fig.

` Fig. 11k is a'partial View ratus, utilizing the fluid Fig. 10; and ,I

Y Fig. 12 isa view of a modified and more simplified formvof controlvalve, which may be optionally-used Yin substitution Vfor thev 4controlvalver of Fig. 6. Y

Referring more rspecifically to the drawings, and first to theembodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs., 1 to 7 inclusive, inFig. 1, the dispensing apparatus illustrated may be of the gene eraltype lOrdinarily provided for the dispensing of gasoline for automotivevehicle use, although it is to be understood thatthe invention in itsvarious aspects isv not limited to apparatus of this character. ',Ih'edispensing apparatus illus-,- trated comprises an upstanding housing l0adapted to be associated with an underground storage tank I l containingthe liquid, l2 forming the supapparatus.

VA dispensing pump I3 which maybe of any conventional type,V andprovided'with a by-pass valvev or the like, draws the liquid l2 from.the underground tank into Vthe pump by means of a pump inlet pipe Ifli.The l,pump is drivenv by an electric motor Vor other suitable primemover 5 through f' the intermediary of a belt I6 and of a l,dispensingappa; variator structureV of to energize the driving :associated pulleysI1 and I8. The motor is controlled by a switch I9 actuated by a'rod 20connected Vto the nozzle support 2| which is piv- V tional construction.An outlet pipe 21 leads fromy the air eliminator to a volume meteringdevice 28. As illustrated, the meter 28,l isk ofthe nutating plate type,the construction of whichwill-be well understood by those familiarwiththe art.

However, it is to be understood that any sortof conventional meter maybe employed.A Anutating plate type meter has been illustrated becausein. accordance with the. principles. of the present inventionLthe.reglster driving. forces required of the meter are minimized,` enablingthe use f a relativelylight and economical type meter, such as shown. Aswill be understood, the meter may A, be provided with suitableCalibrating means, to

insure its accuracy of measurement.

From the meter 28 the dispensed liquid passes through an outletpipe 29into a. fluid variator 38, .the construction` of which. will behereinafter described. Within the fluid variatorthe fluid or liquid.flow may be divided, and passes therefrom .Y through., apair ofparallelpipes vor conduits4 3l 'and .3.2.. Acost metering device 33 is"'associatedrwith'the. pipe 3|., to. effect the measurement of liquiderfluid passing therethrough. From the meter33l the vfluid measuredthereby passes Athrough an outlet pipe 34 joining the-fluid from thepipe 32 within a T connection 35. The combined uids from both pipes 3|and 32 flow outwardly through the pipe'36to a sightl gauge 31, and thento the usual flexible hose 38 and dispensing .nozzle 22 providedwith a`manual control Valve 39.

As illustrated.. the. cost meter 33, is `also of the nutating platetype, as. in the caseof the volurne meter 28, for the reasons-heretoforepointed out'. However, as in the case of the volume meter, it is.,to.be. understood. that anyy conventional.` type of meterf may. if desired,be used; A control valve structure as indicated at 48, mayfalsof beoptionally provisiled` inthe pipe-32, thus; dividing the, pipe 3,2into-separate sections 32' and 32.". The purpose ancL function of thiscontrolvalve structure will also be later described. l

'lhevolume meter 2.8.'isarrangedtoY drive a shaft ,4.3. suitably.connectedV bydriveconnections 4345.120 drive. a volumeregister45provided at the upper front. portion ofthe housing.- Similarly the.cost. meter 3.3,fis1 arranged to drive a shaft 46 connectedby means. ofdriveconnectionsl 41 to drive a cost. register 48. As shown inFig. 2thevolumeand ,cost registers may. be duplicated on the opposite. face of`the apparatus, as indicated at. l49,` the/se: registers also Vbeingdrivingly' connect'edtothelmeter shafts 4,3.andu46-,.for simultanleous,operation Vwith the registers 45 and 48. "The fluid-` variator.vstructures, and theirv arrangement .with the other elementsof thesystem, are showninFigs. 1. 2, 3,4 and; 5.. The-duid variatorggenerallyindic'atedby the.A numeral 30 irrFigs.` 23, 4 and.51comprisesa;two-partcasing or. housing., viz., Vanupper housineportonvelocity over its entire horizontal cross sectional area. l

As best shown in Figs, 4 and 5, the upper casing portion 5I vof thefluid variator is` provided with a'face plate portion .56; 'forming aYhorizontally extending barrier across the entire casing structure.Formed integral with the plate 55 is a vertically extending baffle wall51, this baffle wall z effecting a separation of the upper casingportion 5I intoA twoE separated chambers 58 and 59 asso-4 ciated,respectively, with the pipe 3| leading to the cost meter'S-l, and thepipe 32. The baille .wall 51is provided with three enlarged bearing kanda lower housingportionlflanged andi con- V nect'ed V together. by."'meansof bolts .or screws 53.

bosses 89, 6I and 62, at preselected spaced'points along its length,andthe plate is provided with arcuate slotsv t3V ands4rconcentric withthe. boss 50,k with arcuate` slots 65. and 65, concentric with the` boss5I, and with arcuatel slots 6 1 andg68, concentric with` the boss 5,2.Theends` of these arcuate slots projectup to but not through the planeof the. vertically disposed baffle wall 51. In other words, theadjacentends of the slots are spacedv apart by a distancefequalto the thicknessof thebafe wall 51..

rlhe separator plate or wall 56 is provided with three. circular raisedor embossed" portions 19 throughA which the pairs of slots are cut,whereby .to provide bearing surfaces for engagement by the variatordiscs presently` to be described. There. are. three of thesel embossedor raised Vportions 10, one` for each pair-of slots, and each of theembossed portions forms a complete; circle whereby tov provide completecircular and fluidtight bearing surfacesl for the variator discs. Thepipesy orv conduits 3l and-32 are indicated' by v.dot and dash lines inFig.. 4 to diagrammatically show the vlocation of these outlet pipes,dot and dash lines being used. to indicatel that the pipes arephysically arrangedA in the,v structure, above the section line alongjwhich Fig. 4 is taken..

Referring furtherto-Figs. 4 and;5, three variator discs as indicatedat,13, l114. and 1-5 are associated, respectively, with the slot pairs(i3-64, -68 and 61-7-58;` these. discs being-.keyed or otherwisexedtozthe'- ends of shafts 15, 1j1 and 18 journaled in thebearing bosses853,61 and 62. Themanner in which the disc, 14 is keyed to the endof itsassociated shaft "I1 is shown in Fig. 5', the connection comprising akey 89 anda nut 8l threaded onto the end ofthe shaft for holding bearingwasher as shown at 82, of neoprene or the like, for fluid-'tight bearingengagement against the associated plate boss 10. A compressionspringf83,Fig. 5, bearing at its upper end against a collar 84 and atits lo-wer end against a packing 'gland member 85 maintains thewashers82 and bosses 19 in fluid-tight bearing engagement. The particularspring 83 illustrated in Fig. 5 is associated with the shaft 11 and itsvariator disc 14, but it is tobeunderstood that similar means isprovided foreach of the variator disc structures. The collar 84-isadjustable on the' shaft 11 lay-means of .aset screw.r 8S `wherebyto-properly control thev compression of the spring 83:` Also,

boss 81 providedas a partvof thev casing 5`|,where by to effect thecompression vof a packing'88,vpre

`venting liquid'leakage alon'g the shaft 11; As

indicated, similar means is provided for each of the three Variatorvdiscshafts.

Disc 13,r which is the tens variator disc, is provided with nineopenings 90. Disc 14, which Ais the units variator disc, is providedwith nine openings 9| and disc15, which is the "tenthsf variator disc,is provided with nine openings 92.

AThe openings or holes `9| in disc 1|| are of such size or area thatthey will permit the passage of ten times as much liquid as will passthrough the holes 92 of the disc 15, at lthe same fluid or liquidpressures. Similarly, the holes 90 in disc 13 are of such size that theywill permit the passage of tentimes as much liquid as the holes 9|, orone hundred times as much as the vholes 92. Each of the Variator discsis independently rotatably adjustable, the arrangement being such thatits` nine holes may be exclusively on one side of .the baille wall 51,or on the other side thereof, ordivided in any desired proportion. Thoseholes whichl are set to discharge into Vthe variator chamber 58 transmitfluid or liquid which vwill be measured by the cost meter 33, which isdirectly connected to the cost register. AAccord-` ingly, it will beseen that the setting of the variator discs Will determine theproportion of the fluid or liquid which will be measured by the meter33, in relation to that whichis by-passed through the pipe 32.Adjustment of the discs in accordance with the selected unit price perunit of volumewill therefore effect the proper actuation of theY costmeter 33 and the f associated directly connected cost register, in a`manner to cause the cost register to accumulate and register the propercost of the dispensed fluid at the selected unit price per unit ofvolume. For example, in Fig.y 4 the variator discs are set to computethe dispensed liquid at a unit price per gallon of 24.3 cents, the unitprice indicated on the price per gallon register 95, Fig. l. Thevariator illus-A trated can effect the .calculation of costs at unitprices fromone-tenth of a cent per gallon to 99.9 cents per gallon,although in ordinary usage the variator is not called upon to effectcalculation over this wide a price variation or range.

The means for effecting the adjustments ofthe discs are best shown inFigs. 1, 2, 3 and 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the upper end of shaft 11 isprovided with a bevel gearl 96 meshing witha bevel gear 91 Vfixed to ashaft 98 which shaft, as best shown in Fig. 3, projects outwardlythrough the side 4of the housing |0 and is provided With an operatingknob v99. Similar means is provided for each of the variator discs, theadjustment shaft for the tens disc 13 being indicated at in Fig. 3, andthe adjustment shaft for the tenths disc being indicated at |0|. Shaft|00 is provided with an operating knob |02 and shaft |0| is providedwith an operating knob |03.

Sprockets |04, |05 and |06 are provided, respec-Y tively, on the shafts00, 98 and I 0|, these sprockets being connected by chains |01,r |08 and|09, Fig. 2, so as to effect the actuation of the adjustable dials ofthe price per gallon register 95 provided on the front of the housing,and also preferably a duplicate price per gallon register ||0 on therear housing face. y To this end the chain |01 for the tens shaft |00 isarranged the tenths chain |09 and;the-tenthsfregister dials.Accordingly, it will be seen that selective adjustment of the knobs |02,99 and |03 effects the corresponding adjustment of the `variator discs,`and the simultaneous adjustment of Athe dials of the price per gallonregisters. To insure uniformity of action vwithin the casing of theiluidvariator, and to insure uniformity of operation of the Vvariatordischoles von either"l side of the baille wall 51,v in lcertaininstances it may be desirable to insure equalized pressure conditionswithin the chambers 58 and 59. One preferred arrangement to effect suchresult `is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. As shown,sthe pipe or conduit3| leading to the meter 33 is provided with a T fitting ||6 to the openend of which is tions 32 and 32 is a fttingcomprisingv a main body |22and an auxiliary body or head portion |23 flanged and secured to themain body- |22by securing bolts 21|.` A plateV member 25 p'ro-` videdwith openings for the passage of fluidA is held in position by thefitting head |23.v A second` plate member |26, also provided with open-yings for the passage of fluid, is laterallyshiftable within the conduitby means yof a link ,|21 pivotally mounted upon a cross bar |28 formedas a part of the main f'lttingbody |22. The link |21 is pivotallyconnected to and operated by Ta link |29, the end of which is anchoredto the diaphragm member |2|. It is tobeunderstood that the fitting body|22 is threadedly'connected to the plate ||9 of the diaphragm device inafluid-tight threaded connection. 'l

Normally, when the structure is 'in operation, the openings inthe plates|25 and |26 are sufficiently out of alinement or out of phase so as toimpart a slight resistance to fluid flow within the conduit 32-32,equalto the pressure [drop normally occurring `within the cost meter,33, thereby maintaining. equal pressure conditions in the variatorchambers 58 and 59. In' the event that the` cost meter should encounterincreased resistance, pressure within the pipe 3| would tend toincrease, thereby shifting `the diaphragm ele-` ment |2| tothe right asseenin Fig. 6, shifting the plate |28 tothe right, and thereby shiftingchambers 58 and 59 at all times-is assured.

to actuate a sprocket connected by means of chains I|2 and ||3 to thetens dials ofA the indicators 95 and ||0. Similar connections, not

The operation of the structure kis believed tobe clear. v As thevnozzlesupport 2| is raised ener.- gizing the motor |5 by means of switch I9,pump i3 operatesto propel fluid through thedispensf` ing line. Theentire volume `of liquid flow is measured by the volume meter 28directly con-- nected to operate `the,volume register -,||5. :I ri,

l `diseisa isiuustrated.

'thefuidvariator`30 the fluid is divided in accord'- -ance'with thedesired unit price per unit of vol-` uma,` part' of the flow passingthrough the pipe 3|1tobe measured by the cost meter v33, and part oftheflow being ley-passed aroundthe cost meterV through the pipe 32, theflows 'being combined within the iitting 35 to be thereby dispensed fromthe nozzle 22v in thefusual'manner. By means of thef control valvestructureof Fig. 6, equalized pressure conditions are maintained withinthe yfluid variator chambers 53 and 59, and by means of the adjustmentknobs 99, |02 and |03, Fig.` 3, the variator discs may be preset so thatthe cost calculation takes place at the selected price per gallon. l

In accordancewith the structure provided, the

' meters-are subjected to a. minimum driving load.

' openings, to yeffect the same rfunctions and purposes. Morespecically, the tens variator disc |3ais in this instance provided withnine blocks of openings 90a, there being one hundred openings or holesin each block. These holes are the same size asA the holes 92a in thetenths disc a. Similarly, the cents disc 14a. is provided Ywith nineblocks of holes Sla, there being ten holesin each block, and theholesbeing of the same size as the holes 92a of the disc 15a. Accordingly, itwill be seen that each blockv of holes in the disc '|4a`will eiectA thepassage of ten times the amount of uid which will pass Vthrough a givenhole 92a, whereas each block of holes 90a of the disc 13a will effectthe passage of one hundredv times the amount of fluid as `one hole 92a,under the same pressure conditions. Accordingly, it will vbe seen thatthe function and operation of the .variator thus provided is similar tothat described` in connection with Fig. 4except that in this instanceall of the holes or openings within the variator discs are of ithe samesize ation, withv respect to each other, under all. possible;varyingconditions of pressure. and rates of fluid flow within the dispensingline. In Fig. 9 the detail of the arrangement ofv the holes in the InFigs. 10'and 11 a variator arrangement is illustratedwherein a singlevariator disc is em-v ployed to effect price changes throughout the de.-sired price range. In this instance a single variator disc |35 isprovided, Said disc having a continuous concentric slot |36 of uniformsection formed therein. As this slot is progressively movedl from oneside to the other of the baille this-instance provided with slots|3.'|and |38` for cooperation with the discslot |36.

. Referringto Fig. ll, the single shaft |40 upon which the disc `|35 iscarried, is in this instance provided wtih a worm gear |4| cooperatingwith a worm |42 secured on the end of an adjustment shaft |43. on theopposite end 'of the shaft |43. A single indicator dial |45 cooperatingwith a fixed index pointer |46 is secured to the upper end of shaft |40.

The arrangement of the parts is suchA that as the disc slot 36 is inposition to begin the initial introduction of fluid into the chamber58h, the zero indication is exhibited on the dial |45' in alinement withthe fixed frame orhousing point-V er |45. As the dial |415 reaches aposition to indicate the dispensing of the liquid, at onetenth cent pergallon, the slot |36 will be in p07 sition to deliver one part of thedispensed fluid into the chamber 58h and the other nine hundred andninety-eight parts into the chamber 59h, as will be` clear from what hasheretofore been pointed out. Adjustment of the single knob |44 effects`price calculation throughout the desiredY range of adjustment, the priceper gallon to which the variator is set being indicated bythe indicatorstructure U15-|46.

In Fig. 12 a modified form of control valve, which may be used in placeof the structure shown in Figs. 6 and-'7, is illustrated. In thisinstance the conduit 32o is provided with a spring controlledv reliefvalve |50. More specifically, a tension spring |5| normally urges the,valve into seated `position against the fluid flow as indicated by thearrow. One end of the spring is connected to ther valve and the otherend of the spring is adapted to be anchored to 4and wrapped around arotatable adjustment screw |52. Rotation of the adjustment screw |52varies the ten.- sion of the spring |5I, thusV varying the pressure Ydrop which will be effected by the passage of insuring absoluteuniformity ofoper- Wall 51D, it will be seen that a progressivelyincreasing or decreasing amount of fluid, as the case may be, istransmitted to the pipe line 3io to be measured by the cost meterarranged therein, whereby to effect variable cost calculations inaccordance with the principles of the invention. It is to be understoodthat the plate 56h, in the embodiments previously described, is in theiluid through the relief valve. A cap |53 covers the end of theadjustment screw |52, thus preventing unauthorized operation thereof. Inaccordance with this form of structure, the valve is adjusted to eiTecta pressure drop correspending to the resistance encountered by the costmeter in its normal operation, thus maintaining equalized pressuresWithin the outlet chambers Of the fluid variator.

It is to be understood that rwhile the opening or openings in thevariator disc or discs inthe severalembodiments operate as flow controlorices, the collective area thereof isY in each instance suflicientlylarge so as to proudce nosubstantial impediment to the liquid flowtherethrough even when the pump I3 yis delivering at its main'mumdispensing rate. It will alsov be understood that the openings in thediscs |25, |26, Fig. 6, when in full alignment, and the action of thevalve |50, Fig. l2, when the spring |5I is'at a minimum tension, aresuch as to produce no substantial pressure drop even when the pipe 32or'the pipe 32e, as the case may be, is transmit- An adjustment knob |44is providedy pensing-line adapted to be connected to a source of iiuidsupply, said dispensing line terminating in a dispensing outlet,metering means vfor metering a portion of the fluid flow withinthe'dispensing line, a cost register connected to the' meter forregistering the cost of the iiuid dispensed, and fluid engaged meanscalibrated r in accordance with the unit cost of the fluid dispensed perunit of volume for controlling said. metering means and thereby the costregister, said calibrated means being variable in accordance with unitcost While the displacement of the meter remains unchanged.

2. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to beconnected to a source of fluid supply, said dispensing line terminatingin a dispensing outlet, means to propel uid l through the dispensingline, cost register means for registering the cost of the fluiddispensed, and register operating mechanism including means calibratedin accordance with cost of the uid dispensed per unit of volume forvariably proportioning the iiuid now within a portion of the dispensingline in respect to the total fluid flow to control the cost register.

3. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to beconnected to a source of fluid supply, said dispensing line terminatingin a dispensing outlet, means to propel iiuid through the dispensingline, cost register means the unit in said dispensing for registeringthe cost of the fluid dispensed, a Y

portion of said dispensing line being provided with conduits in parallelfor collectively transmitting the iiuid iiow, and register operatingmechanism including means calibrated in accordance with the unit cost ofthe iiuid dispensed per unit of volume for variably proportioning the owwithin said parallel conduits to control the cost register.

4. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to beconnected to a source of fluid supply, said dispensing line terminatingin a dispensing outlet, means to propel iluid through the dispensingline, cost register means for registering the cost of the fluiddispensed, and register operating mechanism including means calibratedin accordance with the unit cost of the fluid dispensed per unit ofmeasure for controlling the iiuid iiow within a portion of thedispensing line in accordance With the unit cost of the iiuid dispensedper unit of measure.

5. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to beconnected to a source of fluid supply, said dispensing line terminatingin a dispensing outlet, a metering device for metering iiuid oW withinthe dispensing line, a register connected to the meter for registering afunction of the fluid dispensed, a portion of said dispensing line beingprovided with conduits connected in parallel for collectivelytransmitting the dispensing fluid flow, said meter being arranged in oneof said conduits and the other of said conduits being in by-passrelation to the meter, and means calibrated in accordance with thefunction registered by the register for variably proportioning the iiuidiiow between said conduits to thereby control the operation oftheregister.

6. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to beconnected to a source of fluid supply, said dispensing line terminatingin a dispensing outlet, a metering device for metering fluid flow withinthe dispensing line, a cost register connected to the imeter forregistering the cost of the iiuid dispensed, and means calibrated inaccordance with the unit cost of the l 10 iiuid dispensed per unitfofvolume for controlling the iiuidiiow to the meter to thereby controltheoperationof the register; i

7. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to beconnected to a source of fluid supply, said dispensing linev terminatingina dispensing Aoutlet adapted to transmit the entire uid flow withinthe dispensing line, a first meter arranged inthe dispensing line formetering the entire dispensing fluid flow therein, a register connectedto said meter, a second meter connected to said dispensing line formetering a part only of the dispensing iiuid iiow therethrough, aregister connected to saidsecond meter, and means calibrated inaccordance with the function registered by at least one of saidregisters for proportioning the iiow between the meters.

8. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing .line adapted tobe connected to a source of iiuid supply, said dispensing lineterminating in a dispensing outlet, a meter arranged line for meteringthe entire dispensing flow therethrough, a register connected to saidmeter, a portion ofJ said dispensing line being provided with conduitsconnected in parallel adapted to collectively transmit the dispensingfluid flow, a second meter arranged in one of said conduits and theother of said conduits being in by-pass relation to said second meter, asecond register connected to said second meter, and a control device inthe dispensing line for proportioning the fluid iiow between saidparallel conduits.

9. A uid dispensing apparatus as dened in claim 8, wherein the registerconnected to the rst meter is a volume register, and wherein theregister connected to the second meter is a cost register, and whereinsaid control device comprises a fluid variator mechanism calibrated inaccordance with the unit cost of the fluid dispensed per unit ofmeasure.

10. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted tobe connected to a source of fluid supply, said dispensing lineterminating in a dispensing outlet, metering means for metering theiiuid liow within the dispensing line, a cost register connected tothemetering means for registering the cost of the iiuiddispensed, and meanscalibrated in accordance with the unit cost of the dispensed fluid'perunit of measure and disposed in the dispensing line for controlling thefluid iiow to the meter to thereby control the cost register, saidcalibrated means comprising a single cost calibrated member.

11. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted tobe connected to a source of fluid supply, said dispensing lineterminating in a dispensing outlet, a metering device for metering fluidnow within the dispensing line, a register connected to the meter forregistering a function of the fluid dispensed, a portion of saiddispensing line being provided with conduits connected in parallel forcollectively transmitting the dispensing fluid flow, said meter beingarranged in one of said conduits and the other of said conduits being inby-pass relation to the meter, means calibrated in accordance with thefunction registered by the register for variably proportioning the fluidnow between said conduits to thereby control the operation of theregister, and pressure control means for maintaining uniform pressureconditions within the corresponding portions of said parallel conduits.

12. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a a for-metering fluid flowelemente 4 the meter; means calibrated inwaccordanee with meter stotherebyfcontrl" the' unit cost of the. fluid ldispensed per unit ofvolume ffOr proportienng the-fluid :new to the the operation of theregister, said calibrated means .being operable -to at least double-thefluid -flow=to the fmeter, and pressure control-means vfor maintaininguniform pressure conditionswithin corresponding portions o'f saidparallel conduits.

'SRICHARD in. Trama.

